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Marijuana Arrests in NYC: Fiscally Irresponsible, Racially Biased and Unconstitutional

NYC: The Marijuana Arrest Capital of the World Since 1996, the New York City Police Department has made nearly 600,000 arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana. In 2011 alone, 50,684 people were arrested for marijuana possession, the most arrests in a decade and the second highest number of arrests since 1978. In fact, marijuana possession is the number one arrest in the City, representing 1 in 5 misdemeanor 1 arrests and 1 in 7 of all arrests. Most of those arrested are handcuffed, placed in a police car, booked at the station, held in jail for up to 24 hours (and sometimes longer), and then arraigned before a judge. Nearly 70% of those arrested are under 30 years old; most are under 21 years old. And 84% of all those arrested are Black and Latino, even though whites use marijuana at higher 2 rates. On average, nearly 140 people are arrested every day for marijuana possession in NYC, making the Big Apple the Marijuana Arrest Capital of the World. 1977: Penalties for Marijuana Possession Reduced Many New Yorkers dont know that the state decriminalized marijuana possession over thirty years ago and that law is still on the books. In 1977, a Republican State Senator and a Democratic State Assemblyperson sponsored legislation to remove the criminal penalties for possession of marijuana for 3 personal use. The Legislature passed the Marihuana Reform Act of 1977, finding that arrests, criminal prosecutions and criminal penalties are inappropriate for people who possess small quantities of marihuana (sic) 4 for personal use. Possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana (about 7/8 of an ounce) was decriminalized that is, it was made a violation; a first offense punishable by a $100 fine, not jail. Multiple possession offenses 5 were punishable by a $250 fine and up to 15 days in jail. The Legislature also established a misdemeanor penalty for burning marijuana or possessing it in public view a criminal offense punishable by arrest, fine, and/or a jail sentence of up to three months. Rapid Escalation in Marijuana Arrests in NYC For nearly fifteen years after decriminalization, there were relatively few marijuana possession arrests in NYC. But changes in NYPDs policing practices led to a dramatic increase in these arrests. In 1990, there were only 892 arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana. In 2011, 50,684 people were arrested, over a 5,500% increase. Since Michael Bloomberg became Mayor in 2002, there have been over 400,000 arrests in NYC for possession of small amounts of marijuana. This dramatic rise in marijuana arrests is not the result of increased marijuana use, which peaked nationally 6 around 1980. Rather, the NYPD has quietly made marijuana possession their top arrest priority. The Legislature finds that arrests, criminal prosecutions and criminal penalties are inappropriate for people who possess small quantities of marihuana (sic) for personal use. Every year, this process needlessly scars thousands of lives and waste millions of dollars in law enforcement resources, while detracting from the prosecution of serious crime.
New York Marihuana Reform Act of 1977

Marijuana, Stop, Question and Frisk, and the Police Research shows that most people arrested for marijuana possession are not smoking in public, but simply have a 7 small amount in their pocket, purse or bag. Possessing a small amount of marijuana in ones pocket or bag is a legal violation, not a criminal offense. Sometimes, police illegally search people, find marijuana, and then falsely charge them for marijuana in public view. Or, when police stop and question a person, they say empty your pockets or open your bag. Many people comply, even though theyre not legally required to do so. If a person pulls out marijuana from their pocket, it is then open to public view, a crime. The police then arrest the person.

Drug Policy Alliance | 70 West 36th Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10018 nyc@drugpolicy.org | 212.613.8020 voice | www.drugpolicy.org

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Citations available upon request

In 2011, the NYPD stopped and questioned over 680,000 people 87% of them people of color. This record is 14% higher than 2010. About half of these encounters resulted in a frisk, and only 12% led to a summons or arrest; in less than one percent of the stops was a 8 firearm recovered. A Columbia University professor found at least 30% of stops themselves are likely 9 unconstitutional. Another study from the University of Chicago found that marijuana arrests do not reduce 10 serious or violent crime, and may actually increase it. More people have been arrested for marijuana possession under Mayor Bloomberg (2002 2011) than were arrested under Mayors Ed Koch, David Dinkins and Rudy Giuliani combined (1977 2001). These Arrests Are Expensive and Wasteful According to Dr. Harry Levine of Queens College, it costs between $1,000 and $2,000 in police, court and jail costs to process a simple marijuana arrest in NYC. Thus, NYC spent about $75 million arresting people for low-level 11 marijuana possession offenses in 2011 alone. Over the last decade, NYC has spent nearly $1 billion arresting people for possessing small amounts of marijuana. These arrests continue, even while the City eliminates bus and subway lines, cuts youth summer job and afterschool programs, closes senior centers, shutters hospitals, eliminates services for the homeless and desperately poor, and limits services for immigrants. Bias and Inequity in Marijuana Law Enforcement Marijuana possession arrests expose profound bias and inequity within the NYC criminal justice system. U.S. Government surveys of high school seniors show that whites use marijuana at higher rates than Blacks and 12 Latinos. While whites make up over 46% of the population in NYC, they account for 12% of those 13 arrested for marijuana possession. In contrast, Blacks and Latinos combined make up nearly 53% of New York Citys population, yet comprise 84% of those arrested for 14 marijuana possession. Additionally, the vast majority of those arrested are young people between 16 - 29 years 15 old and occur in NYCs poorest neighborhoods. During the 2001 mayoral race, Michael Bloomberg was asked if hed ever tried marijuana. His response: You 16 bet I did. And I liked it. In fact, many New Yorkers have 17 tried marijuana. But every year, tens of thousands of young people, especially Black and Latino youth, are illegally searched and falsely arrested for possessing small amounts of marijuana, while many other people who try marijuana like Mayor Bloomberg are left alone. The law is not applied equally or fairly,

undermining the relationship between the police and many of the communities theyre supposed to serve. Simple Solutions are Available: Fix the Law When the Legislature decriminalized marijuana possession in 1977, they made a clear statement of intent, declaring arrests for small amounts of marijuana inappropriate and economically wasteful. The law has not changed, but policing practices have. The NYPD has made marijuana their number one arrest 18 priority. This marijuana arrest crusade began in the early 1990s and has continued and expanded under Mayor Bloomberg. Today, simple solutions exist that could: Save tens of millions of dollars every year. Reduce outrageous racial disparities in arrests. Stop needlessly introducing tens of thousands of young people to the criminal justice system. End practices that violate constitutional rights. Promote more constructive, equitable relationships between police and NYC residents. In September 2011, NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly issued an internal directive, ordering police to follow the law they must stop making arrests for marijuana possession in public view when the person was compelled by an officer to display marijuana in public. However, the order has not yielded an overall significant decrease in marijuana arrests. In fact, the total marijuana arrests for 2011 increased from 2010. This order does not address illegal searches, and only applies to NYC; we need a permanent solution that exists statewide. The NY State Legislature can pass S.5187 (Grisanti) /A.7620 (Jeffries), a bipartisan bill which closes the loophole exploited by NYPD to make these questionable arrests. With this simple fix, penalties for possessing or burning of a small amount of marijuana would be standardized as a violation punishable by a 19 summons and fine, not arrest and jail. The New York City Council can pass Council Resolution 986 supporting the legislative reforms in Albany. The Council should also hold hearings to investigate these arrests and the associated fiscal and human costs. Mayor Bloombergs marijuana arrest crusade undermines fiscal responsibility, racial equity and our constitutional rights. For more information, to get involved, or to share an arrest story, contact DPA at nyc@drugpolicy.org or 212-613-8038.

Drug Policy Alliance | 70 West 36th Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10018 nyc@drugpolicy.org | 212.613.8020 voice | www.drugpolicy.org

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New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Adult Arrests in 2010, Computerized Criminal History System, January 2012. Also see: New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, New York State Arrests in 2010, Computerized Criminal History System, January 2011. 2 New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, New York City Arrests for PL 221.10 in 2011, Computerized Criminal History System, January 2012. See also: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, (Washington D.C.: United States Government Office of Applied Studies, 2006) See: Table 1.80B Marijuana Use in Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month among Persons Aged 18 to 25, by Racial/Ethnic Subgroups: Percentages, Annual Averages Based on 20022003 and 20042005, Accessed on January 26, 2011, http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k5NSDUH/tabs/Sect1peT abs67to132.htm#Tab1.80B. Also see: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, (Washington D.C.: United States Government Office of Applied Studies, 2008) See: Table 1.26B Marijuana Use in Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month among Persons Aged 18 to 25, 2006 and 2007, Accessed on January 26, 2011, http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k7NSDUH/tabs/Sect1peT abs1to46.htm#Tab1.26B. 3 Marihuana Reform Act of 1977, Public Law 360, 1977-1978 Legislature, Regular Session (29 June 1977). 4 Ibid 5 Marihuana Reform Act of 1977, Public Law 360, 1977-1978 Legislature, Regular Session (29 June 1977). 6 In 2008, 27.52% of Americans aged 18 to 25 (and 32% of those in New York State) had used marijuana once or more in the last year. Twenty-nine years earlier, in 1979, 46% of Americans 18 to 25 had used marijuana in the last year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2007 and 2008 (Washington D.C.: United States Government Office of Applied Studies, 2008). See: Table B.2 Marijuana Use in Past Year, by Age Group and State: Percentages, Annual Averages Based on 2007 and 2008. Accessed on January 26, 2011. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k8State/AppB.htm#TabB.2 7 Harry Levine and Deborah Peterson Small, Marijuana Arrest Crusade: Racial Bias and Police Policy in New York City, 1997 2007, (New York: New York Civil Liberties Union, 2008), pp 38 45. 8 Stop-and-Frisks of New Yorkers in 2010 Hit All-Time High at 600,601; 87 Percent of Those Stopped Black and Latino, Center for Constitutional Rights press release, February 24, 2011, on CCR website, http://ccrjustice.org/newsroom/pressreleases/stop-and-frisks-of-new-yorkers-2010-hit-all-time-high600,601%3B-87-percent-of, accessed February 2012.
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Fagan, J. (2010). Report of Jeffrey Fagan, Ph.D. on Floyd et al v City of New York et al., New York. Retrieved from http://ccrjustice.org/files/Expert_Report_JeffreyFagan.pdf 10 Bernard E. Harcourt and Jens Ludwig, Reefer Madness: Broken Windows Policing and Misdemeanor Marijuana Arrests in New York City, 1989-2000,Criminology and Public Policy 6:1 (2007), pp. 165-182. 11 Harry G. Levine and Loren Siegel, $75 Million A Year, (New York: Drug Policy Alliance, 2011).

Also see: Harry Levine, New York Citys Marijuana Arrest Crusade Continues, September 2009. 12 U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Applied Studies. Table 1.34a marijuana use in lifetime, past year, and past month among persons aged 12 to 17, by demographic characteristics. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2002 and 2003. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/Nhsda/2k3tabs/Sect1peTabs1to66. htm#tab1.30b. Retrieved February 14, 2011. 13 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Demographic and Housing Estimates: 2009 (Washington D.C.: United States Census Bureau, 2009), Accessed on February 9, 2011. Also see: New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Adult Arrests in 2010, Computerized Criminal History System, January 2011. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/census/nyc_boro_demo_06to0 9_acs.pdf 14 Ibid. 15 New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Adult Arrests in 2010, Computerized Criminal History System, January 2011. 16 Gordon Meryl, Citizen Mike, New York Magazine, 16 April 2001. 17 New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Data Report from the New York City Health Department. (2010). Illicit drug use in New York City New York: New York City Vital Signs. Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/survey/survey2009drugod.pdf. See also New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey. (2007). Substance use among New York City youth NYC Vital Signs. Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/survey/survey2007subsAbuse.pdf. 18 Marijuana Arrest Crusade: Racial Bias and Police Policy in New York City, 1997 2007, 6. In this report we refer to what is happening in New York City as a marijuana arrest crusade to highlight the massive, organized, even relentless pursuit of these arrests under two mayors and three police commissioners for over ten years. But the term crusade does not capture other important characteristics of these marijuana possession arrests including their racial bias, gender bias, costliness, and other harmful effects to New York City and especially to Black and Latino young people and their families. 19 By changing just the public view provision, multiple offenses could still lead to arrest and up to 15 days in jail. See Marihuana Reform Act of 1977, Public Law 360, 1977-1978 Legislature, Regular Session (29 June 1977) From the penal code, 221.05: A person is guilty of unlawful possession of marihuana when he knowingly and unlawfully possesses marihuana. Unlawful possession of marihuana is a violation punishable only by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars. However, where the defendant has previously been convicted of an offense defined in this article or article 220 of this chapter, committed within the three years immediately preceding such violation, it shall be punishable (a) only by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars, if the defendant was previously convicted of one such offense committed during such period, and (b) by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars or a term of imprisonment not in excess of fifteen days or both, if the defendant was previously convicted of two such offenses committed during such period. The Legislature could consider eliminating the jail penalty altogether.

Drug Policy Alliance | 70 West 36th Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10018 nyc@drugpolicy.org | 212.613.8020 voice | www.drugpolicy.org

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